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Abstract
This paper reports on the results of a multi-site survey of gambling behaviour and gambling problems amongst offenders in correctional institutions in Ontario, Canada, conducted between 2008 and 2011. A total of 422 (completion rate 61.5 %) incarcerated offenders (381 male and 41 female) took part in the study including 301 federal offenders and 121 provincial offenders. Based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI/PGSI) the prevalence rate of severe problem gambling was 8.9 prior to incarceration and 4.4 % during incarceration. These numbers are substantially higher than rates found among the general public. Thirty-four percent of the sample reported gambling in prison. Half of those who suffered from gambling problems before incarceration continued to have gambling problems during incarceration. People with problems related to slot machines prior to incarceration reported fewer gambling problems during incarceration compared to other problem gamblers.
Highlights
In a recent study of gambling problems amongst Federal offenders in Ontario (Turner et al 2009), 9.4 % scored in the severe problem gambler range on the Problem Gambling Severity Index of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI/PGSI)
This paper reports on the results of a multi-site survey of gambling behaviour and gambling problems amongst offenders in correctional institutions in Ontario, Canada, conducted between 2008 and 2011
Consistent with previous research (Abbott and McKenna 2005; Abbott et al 2005; Abbott and Volberg 1996; Anderson 1999; Bellringer 1986; Blaszczynski and Silove 1996; Lahn and Grabosky 2003; Nixon et al 2006; Rosenthal and Lorenz 1992; Templer et al 1993; Turner et al 2009; Williams et al 2005) we found a much higher rate of moderate and severe problem gambling among the offenders sampled compared to the general population, confirming hypothesis 1
Summary
In a recent study of gambling problems amongst Federal offenders in Ontario (Turner et al 2009), 9.4 % scored in the severe problem gambler range on the Problem Gambling Severity Index of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI/PGSI). Another 15.7 % reported moderate levels of gambling problems for a total of 25.1 % suffering from some degree of gambling problem. In a review of the literature (Williams et al 2005), the prevalence of problem gambling (combining severe and moderate gambling problems) within forensic populations ranged from 17 to 60 %, with an average of about 33 % across the samples. Four issues remain unresolved: (1) the amount of gambling inside the institution, (2) the prevalence of gambling problems during incarceration, (3) the prevalence of gambling problems amongst female offenders, and (4) the link between gambling and crime
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